Slide background Examinations
Shree Paavitra Arts Academy organizes yearly examination for the students. The examinations are held to encourage students to know more about dance, culture, our heritage, its origin and many other aspects related to dance. The students are assessed on practical and theoretical basis. An experienced and a very senior teacher of “KALAKSHETRA” (a very well renowned dance institute of Chennai) judges the students on the practical level. Our Bharatanatyam syllabus has been drafted carefully keeping in mind the authenticity of the traditional classical style. This curriculum helps them understand this art form better by guiding them in the systematic preparation for the various levels and stages as a dancer.
The examinations are given in three portions: Basic, Intermediary and Advanced.
Basic
The first two years of the Examination come under the basic level. The 1st year is called the ‘Adivaaram” and the 2nd year is the “Nadai Murai” where the students are assessed on the basics and the foundation. The students join a dance class as a hobby, but once a child starts taking keen interest, each step learnt and each mudra known to them unfolds one after the other giving them an insight of how deep is the knowledge of dance and the quest to learn more and more begins.
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Its starts with knowing the meaning of Namaskar which they religiously do before they start their class to the DHYANA SHLOKAM on Lord Nataraja, chanting his praise as he is the supreme lord of dance. The Adavus are the basic steps set to the rhythmic beat that is taught to a beginner. The basic steps are classified into groups for a systematic learning and for better understanding. The adavus get more complex as we advance. The adavus for the basic level are as follows:
The Adavus
  • TATTA ADAVU
  • NATTA ADAVU
  • KUDITTHA METTA ADAVU
  • VISIRI ADAVU
  • MURRUKAL ADAVU
  • SARRUKAL ADAVU
  • TAT TAI TAM ADAVU
  • TAT TAI TAHA ADAVU
  • PERIYA ADAVU
  • TANDUDAL ADAVU
Learning of the HASTAS and the BHEDAS are mandatory to enhance their skill as a dancer like ,
HASTAS and the BHEDAS
  • Samukta & Asamukta Hastas
  • Mandala Bhedas
  • Sthanaka Bhedas
  • Shiro Bhedas
  • Drushti Bhedas
  • Greeva Bhedas
  • Nritta Hasta
Learning about dance is incomplete without the mention of classical Carnatic music which is very closely associated to Bharatanatyam. For this they are required to learn the following:
Classical Carnatic
  • TALAM (THE SEVEN TALAS)
  • JAATI (THE FIVE JAATIS)
  • KALAM (The Vilambha Kalam,The Madhyama kalam and the Dhruta Kalam)
  • Demonstration of the 35 talas.
  • The Abhinaya Darpana By Nandikeswara is given for reference for studying
  • Origin of dance
  • The Asamyuktha Hastas and Its meaning
  • Anga,Pratyanga and Upanga
The seven classical dance styles of India, their origin, music and instruments should be known to students. Information about the famous gurus, dancers and institutes form an integral part of the syllabus.
Intermediate
The syllabus at the intermediary level is slightly more advanced than the basic. This helps to hone their skill, as one evolves as a dancer and starts taking keen interest in this form. The 3rd and the 4th years are the intermediary levels called the Mudaladi and Nadu Nilai respectively.
The theoretical study involves learning about the origin of dance, its history till the time of the Devadasis, the setback suffered by this art form to its revival. This forms a very important part of the syllabus for young students and dancers to know and acknowledge the role of a few pioneers who struggled to keep this art form alive and value their contribution.
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Dance is not merely footwork but a culmination of music, abhinaya (the facial expressions), hand gestures, costume etc. To have a deeper understanding of the above the student learns the aspects such as:
Abhinaya
  • NRITTA
  • NRITYA
  • NATYA
  • ABHINAYA
A dancer blossoms and betters as a performer only on learning the finer aspects of emoting ,understanding and maturing without giving in to ones inhibitions. The learning gets deeper with the study about:
• VINIYOGAS
• ASHTANAYIKAS
• TYPES OF ABHINAYA.
On a practical level the student has to be thorough with:
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  • KAUTHVAMS (ON GANESHA,KARTIKEYA AND NATRAJA)
  • ALARIPPU (THISHRAM AND MISHRAM)
  • VASANTHA JATISWARAM(to be able to recite along with the korvais, keeping the talam)
  • SHABDAM (TO SING AND DEMONSTRATE)
  • RECITATION OF ALARIPPU
  • BANDAVA AND DEVATA HASTAS.
The students need to refer to the Abhinaya Darpana giving them an insight about the dance in its entirety.
Advanced
After successfully passing through the basic and the intermediary stages of learning the student steps into a different world of dance. Sincerity and passion takes students to a level which demands more of their attention, energy and commitment. The playful learning fades slowly giving way to a more evolved and deeper learning. Hereafter it completely depends on the students’ priority and commitment towards the art which molds them into professional dancers.
The advanced level comprise of the 5th and the 6th year which is the Nadunilai Pin Bhagam and Virpannar. The syllabus for the advanced level is drafted keeping in mind that the study needs to be elaborate, exhaustive and also giving scope to the students to hone their skills as a choreographer in their future. We in the academy understand the need for talented choreographers, inviting new ideas and exploring this art form.
The theoretical approach gives new impetus for the students who want to pursue this art form and take it as a career. The theory includes knowing:
The Approach
  • The ideal and philosophy of Bharatanatyam
  • Tala prana
  • The Navarasas
  • Tandava
  • Lasya
  • History of Bharatanatyam
  • Folk Dances of various states of India
  • The present status of art
  • The stage according to Natyashastra
  • The classical syles in its uniqueness, instruments, dress and makeup etc.
The Hastas
  • Bhramari Bhedas
  • Chari Bhedas
  • Utpluta Bhedas
  • Nayaka Bhedas
  • Dashavathara Bhedas
  • Bhandava Hastas
  • Devata Hastas
At this stage the student has to be well versed with the Ragam and the Talam of all the dances they know to perform. Composing, reciting, and execution of Talams are compulsory.